Waterbury evening Democrat., 1887-12-13
CHAPTER XIX.
LAST DAYS.

CHAPTER XIX
 LAST DAYS.
 Andrews had now but four days moro of dungeon life between himself and cter- nifty. Escape was impossible unless there should be a rapid advance of the Federal forces-a possibility which did como very near being made Q fact He applied him. self to the great business of preparing to die. Most unexpectedly a letter written at this time and in some way carried through the lines has come to hand, and throws great light upon his character and thoughts at this period. He managed in some unknown manner to get writing ma- terial and wrote two or three letters. One, no doubt, was written to his betrothed in Flemingsburg, but never received. Another was written to his mother in Missouri. The contents of the latter can only be given as they are remembered after an interval of many years by one who read the letter. He told his mother that he was to die, and that all he re- gretted was that he had been able to do so little for his country; that many other sons had left their bones bleaching on southern battle fields; that he had tried to do his duty, and was now seeking the pardon and favor of God. There were many other half remembered expressions similar to those which are given in the letter below.
 The following communication addressed to a trusted friend in F1emingsburg, Ky, and which from some references to property in contains has been called ''the will of Andrews" needs a word of ex- planation. The gift bestowed upon Miss Layton was of trifiing value, though most pathetic-a mere empty trunk. But tho full significance of this was no doubt given, with probably more substar.al bequests, in one or other of the missing letters. This letter, which reached Elem ingsburg, Ky, in August, two months after it was written, being mailed at Louisville, is recorded in the Flemings- burg book of wills, while the original is most carefully preserved. Andrews had directed his friend to draw out his money in the Flemingsburg bank-some S2, ,000, with gold premium and interest-in case he never returned, giving him a check for that purpose, and to lend it on good se- curity, paying the interest as a perpetual bequest to the town poor. The friend was faithful to his trust, and though the money was afterwards squandered in a pitiful way and gave rise to vexatious law suits yet this secured the careful preservation of the letter.
 In all probability Andrews wrote first to his betrothed, giving those sad re- membranes and bequests which would not be repeated in letter to another, and followed with this more general and business like communication. The orig inal is terribly misspelled, far beyond the ordinary misspelling of ignorant persons. This is probably intentional, as a few lines at the first have no errors.
 CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, June 6, 1862. D. S. McGavic, Esq, Flemingsburg Ky:
 
 hear from me from this place, and still more sur prised to hear that am to be executed on the 1th inst. for attempting to capture and run a train of cars from the Western and Atlantic rail. road to Huntsville for the use of Gen. Mitchell I had party of twcnty-one detailed men from tho Second Twenty first and Thirty-third Ohio resi. ments with me. We succeeded in getting posses sion of the train and travelled with some eighty or eighty-nve miles, when, on account of an extra train being on she road, we were compelled to abandon the train, the party scattering and trying to make OUT way back on foot. Tine whole party, however, were captured. I was taken on the 14th of April. I am satisfied could very easily have got away had they not put a pack of dogs on my trail. It impossible to elude them. I was tried by court martial and received my sentence the last day of May just one week from the time set for my execution On Monday morning, June 2, I made an escape succeeded in getting out of the prison and run by the guard, they shooting at me but not hitting
 
 swarmed with soldiers. I succeeded in eluding them till on Tuesday, about 2 o'clock, when I was recaptured and will be executed Saturday. The sentence seems O hard one for the crime proven, but suppose the court that tried me thought otherwise. have now calmly submitted to my fate and have been earnestly engaged in preparing to meet my God in peace. And have found that peace of mind and tranquility of soul that even surprises ! myself. I never supposed it possible that man foal nh, circumstances. How would like to have one hours chat with you; but this shall never havc in this world, but hope and pray that we may | meet in heaven, where the troubles and trials of | this life enter. What the fate of the bal | ance of the party will be am unable to say but
 hope they will not share the fate of their leader If they return, some two or three of them will call on you and the rest of the friends and hope you will receive them kindly. They are noble fellows, and will give you whole history of the affair. Please acquant my friends with my fate will try to write to some two three moro before my execution. Tell J. B. Jackson should there be any little claims that neglected to set tic, to pay them, and keep the horse. I don't think there are any, but there may be- In re | gard to other matters, do exactly as instructed | before left. wrote several letters, but never | received any. Please read this letter to Mrs | Eckles, and tell her that have thought of hel | kindness many times, and that hope we may iIleeC Ill ueaVeH. WueTo we Suali enjoy Sne pres ence of the Lord forever. Give my kndest re gards to Mir. Eckes also. According to the course of nature, it will not be long till we shall meet ir | that happy country. Blessed thought. Remem | Der me also to the young ladies of FlemingSburg espe eially to Miss Kate Wallingford and Miss | Mamie Baxter. Hoping we may meet in tha, better country, bid you long and last farewell | J. !. ANDREWS.
 The following was added on the same l sheet: ".
 | CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, June 5, 1862. l D. S. McGavic, Esq, J. B. Jackson. Mrs. Saraf Eckles, Flemingsburg, Fleming county, Ky: You will find one trunk and one black valse | the valise has my name in red letters the end the other had my name on paper pasted on th. end; these are at the City hotel at Nashville, ii care of the old porter on the third floor. These with contents, I present to you. Mir. Hawkins you will find at the Louisville hotel a large lady. trunk, no mark on it and is entirely empty | Please take it to Mir. Lindsey's, near Mill Creei church, on the Maysville and Flemingshurg turn